I left China for Singapore in 1959, which was the 2nd year of the great leap forward launched by the late Chairman Mao then.

On 19.4.08, I returned to my hometown after a lapse of almost half a century. The village is called Zenglin, which is about 1 km away from the northern region of Maxiang Zhen.

On my arrival, all sorts of feeling welled up in my minds. It was exactly like the scene depicted in the poem called “Returning Home ” by He Zhizhang .The poem reads, “I left home young and returned old, accent unchanged, but my hair now thin and grey. Little kids do not know me at all — with a big smile they ask “Where are you from, stranger?”

I sauntered through the entire village and found that the changes were so great, so much so that all things are beyond my recognition. Gone are the cesspits, which were the common sight prior to my departure in 1959. Every household is now provided with electricity supply, piped water and modern sanitary appliances.

During my sojourn in the village, I received warm welcome and hospitalities from all my relatives. A big surprise was a visit made by a primary school classmate, Mr Lin Caishui who still could remember me after such a long time. He is the boss of a big noodle-manufacturing factory in Maxiang Zhen now. He told me that our classmate Mr Zhu Jinta was the former mayor of Maxiang Zhen but he had already passed away. Another classmate Mr Zhu Zaixing was the vice mayor of Tongan County. He had just retired from the service lately. Unfortunately, I could not meet the classmates because of my tight schedule. Hopefully, I could have a reunion with them in my next trip.

The writer came to Singapore in 1959 at the age of 12 with his mother and younger brother Mr Chiang Wan Tiau, a council member of Tung Ann District Guild. He had worked in the Customs Department and is currently a senior officer with the National Environment Agency. In early nineties, he was conferred an efficiency medal and a long service medal during the national day award investitures.